Amidst a cheering sea of pink, the Creamline Cool Smashers swept the Mall of Asia Arena Court with their combined prowess and trademark good vibes to clinch the coveted championship title of the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference.
Led by team captain Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers bested the PayMaya High Flyers and sealed the deal after only two games in a best-of-three finals round. In addition to the title, players Valdez, Jia Morado, and Michelle Gumabao received individual awards: best open spiker, best setter and finals MVP, and best opposite spiker, respectively.
“This championship is one of the biggest rewards we’ve received as a team who worked hard, trained hard, and really wanted to bring home the trophy for our Rebisco family and our fans,” shared Valdez.
One big family
The Creamline Cool Smashers credit their triumph in the recently concluded PVL to something more than the expert guidance of Coach Anusorn “Tai” Bundit and the individual skills of the players.
“Each member of the team is focused, driven, and hungry to win but we still enjoyed our time together because we loved what we were doing,” Morado said. “The Cool Smashers is my first pro club and it has been my childhood wish to find a team that inspires and takes care of me while I pursue my dreams in the court. Not every player gets it right the first time and I’m so lucky and thankful to be with the Rebisco-Creamline family.”
“I’m also thankful to the Rebisco-Creamline family for believing in me and the team. Without that support and the camaraderie that we’ve built, victory wouldn’t taste as sweet as it does now,” said Gumabao.
The Rebisco-Creamline family that the team found extended beyond the court and the training sessions—in fact, it is a big family that includes all of the snack giant’s employees, from executives to those on the production floor responsible for whipping up Rebisco’s trademark treats such as the Rebisco Sandwich, Hansel, Fudgee Barr, Choco Mucho, Ding Dong, Judge, and Creamline bars, cones, and tubs.
“Rebisco has always supported our employees in breaking their daily routines through sports and other physical activities,” said Noric T. Ng, Rebisco VP of Operations. “Everybody, from management to the factory employees, was excited when the Cool Smashers got into the PVL finals and we wanted to be here to support them all the way. This championship is the manifestation of our 55-year-old culture of teamwork, collaboration, and camaraderie. By working together for a common goal and doing this every day in every aspect of our lives, we have accomplished so much and have a lot to celebrate for our 55th anniversary.”
Buoyed by good vibes and the support of the entire Rebisco-Creamline family and their fans, the Creamline Cool Smashers are grateful that all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that led to their victory.
Mean spikes, generous hearts
As part of the Rebisco-Creamline family’s “champinkship” celebration, the Cool Smashers hosted the first-ever Creamline Good Vibes Day as a way to express their gratitude to their fans.
Held at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Capitol Commons, the event brought the team closer to their adoring fans through good food, fun activities, and a meet-and-greet session. The players even gamely answered fan questions and honored requests for songs, messages, and selfies.
The highlight of this special event, however, is a generous gesture from the Rebisco-Creamline family. Pursuing its advocacy of fostering youth development through sports, the Cool Smashers and the company donated volleyball sporting equipment to ten beneficiary public schools which participated in the Rebisco Volleyball League 18 & Under.
Team captain Valdez presented a symbolic volleyball to Metropolitan Sports and Events Managing Director Freddie Infante, one of Philippine volleyball’s leading figures.
The company is also spearheading the Rebisco Volleyball League, an under-18 tourney where 12 high school teams battle it out for the title. Another facet of Rebisco’s youth development advocacy is the Volley Fiesta, a series of volleyball clinics for young aspiring athletes in rural communities, with drills led by Valdez, Morado, Gumabao, and the entire Cool Smashers team.
“Volley Fiesta and Creamline Ice Cream Fiesta were borne out of our desire to spread good vibes at the barangay level,” said Rebisco Category Manager Chiara Fojas-Ferrer. “Not only do we pursue our advocacy of youth development through these events but we also get to bring Creamline products closer to communities and bring a smile to their faces through affordable ice cream, fun games, and the presence of their volleyball idols.”
“It’s so inspiring to be part of Creamline’s mission to spread good vibes across the Philippines through volleyball. The team is blessed to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in the sport and to see young athletes in the provinces learn and dream just like we did once. So to all the future volleyball superstars we’ll meet in this year’s Volley Fiesta, hihintayin namin kayo dito sa Manila for your turn to represent the Rebisco family and even the country,” concluded Valdez.
